Experts in container rentals, sales and customization.   |   Let us help you today! 800.686.9114

La Jolla, CA Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

LET US HELP YOU TODAY!
619.369.0295

Service Areas Near Me

Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In La Jolla, CA

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. La Jolla, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers La Jolla, CA
review

What Clients Say About Us

NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers La Jolla, CA

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN La Jolla, CA, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Jolla, CA

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent La Jolla, CA

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers La Jolla, CA
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in La Jolla, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN La Jolla, CA

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in La Jolla, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in La Jolla, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN La Jolla, CA?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

619.369.0295

Latest News in La Jolla, CA

Bears Run Ends In La Jolla

LA JOLLA – The California men's tennis team ended its run in the Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship on Saturday, when Golden Bears Carl Emil Overbeck and Siddhant Banthia lost in the round of 16 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.The third-seeded duo fell to San Diego St...

LA JOLLA – The California men's tennis team ended its run in the Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship on Saturday, when Golden Bears Carl Emil Overbeck and Siddhant Banthia lost in the round of 16 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The third-seeded duo fell to San Diego State's 17th-seeded Chikaya Sato and Johannes Seeman, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

"Sid and Carlo did well to win two matches in this tournament," said Kris Kwinta, Cal's Peter Wright Director of Men's Tennis. "That was nice to see. We're still kind of dealing with some injuries and sickness from the past week, and, unfortunately, we couldn't put all our best teams out there, but such is life. Next year we'll come back stronger."

Outside of the La Jolla tournament, the Bears have dominated in doubles during the dual-match season. They've captured the doubles point in every contest – not including the San Francisco and UC Davis matches that didn't include doubles – but the 5-2 win over San Diego on Thursday.

"We've had a great season in terms of doubles for sure," Kwinta said. "We have a lot of depth and experience and a lot of success. We've been clicking, so it was a little bit shocking we gave up the doubles point so easily against USD. But we have enough depth in singles to make up the deficit, which was the case this time."

Cal (7-2) returns to Berkeley to host four matches in seven days, as the 35th-ranked Bears play No. 11 Columbia on March 13, No. 75 SMU on March 15, No. 36 Arizona State on March 17 – in both teams' Pac-12 opener – and No. 17 Arizona on March 19 at the Hellman Tennis Complex.

Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Championship March 4, 2023, in La Jolla, Calif. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

Main Draw

Round of 16 [17] Chikaya Sato/Johannes Seeman (SDSU) def. [3] Siddhant Banthia/Carl Emil Overbeck (Cal), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

SeaWorld rescues sea lion from La Jolla Cove carrying ‘rare but contagious’ bacterial infection

Along with the disease, which can be transmitted to dogs and humans, the pup had more than 100 rocks in his stomach. But after six weeks of treatment, he was released back into the wild.A sea lion pup found at La Jolla Cove carrying a rare and contagious bacterial infection has been released back into the wild after being rescued and treated by SeaWorld San Diego.The sea lion’s type of infection, the last of which had been seen at SeaWorld about eight years ago, is not only communicable — and potentially lethal &m...

Along with the disease, which can be transmitted to dogs and humans, the pup had more than 100 rocks in his stomach. But after six weeks of treatment, he was released back into the wild.

A sea lion pup found at La Jolla Cove carrying a rare and contagious bacterial infection has been released back into the wild after being rescued and treated by SeaWorld San Diego.

The sea lion’s type of infection, the last of which had been seen at SeaWorld about eight years ago, is not only communicable — and potentially lethal — to other sea lions but also can be transmitted to dogs and humans.

At a time when local news is more important then ever, support from our readers is essential. If you are able to, please become a supporter of the La Jolla Light today by clicking here.

In January, the SeaWorld Rescue Team was at The Cove on a report of another animal that may need care when it noticed a different sea lion that was isolated, underweight and lethargic.

“The sea lion we got the call about appeared to be OK, so we didn’t take it,” said rescue team curator Kim Peterson. “But the [sea lion pup] we did take was exhibiting some concerning behaviors and symptoms.”

The rescuers took the pup to SeaWorld for evaluation by a larger team and an onsite veterinarian. “The whole team agreed something was very, very wrong,” Peterson said.

“The veterinary team conducted diagnostics on the sea lion and they showed that he was suspicious for a disease called leptospirosis,” according to SeaWorld. “Targeted treatment was immediately initiated and eventually we confirmed that he was positive for this disease. Leptospirosis is a potentially lethal bacterial disease and considered an important zoonotic pathogen (which can spread between animals and people).”

Peterson said there have been leptospirosis outbreaks in other areas, but “I don’t recall one in San Diego. He could have got it elsewhere and brought it here.”

In humans, leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected people, however, may have no symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Without treatment, the CDC says, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress and even death.

“The last positive case of leptospirosis we saw was eight years ago,” Peterson said. “So it is rare but contagious. We had to quarantine the pup and provide treatment. We gave him fluids and nutritional fish slurry and medication to make him comfortable. He stabilized pretty rapidly, and soon more diagnostics were done to make sure there was nothing else wrong.”

But there was.

In addition to the leptospirosis, the veterinary team found on an X-ray that the sea lion had ingested more than 100 rocks that would need to be removed for him to fully recover. Gastroscopy (introducing a tube-shaped camera via the mouth into the stomach) was performed and more than a pound and a half of rocks were removed — one at a time — from his stomach over a series of five procedures.

“Sea lions occasionally eat rocks, but I’ve never seen this many,” Peterson said. “There is no way of telling what would cause him to do it. He didn’t have a lot of room for food in his stomach because of all the rocks.”

The treatment took about six weeks overall, and now “he’s fabulous,” Peterson said. “His bloodwork was normal, he is moving really well and he’s back to normal weight.”

And this month he was released back into the wild.

“This all started because people were observant and paid attention to the animals and called us,” Peterson said. “So much of what we do is dependent on people calling us. We can’t do our job without the public’s help, and the community of La Jolla is really important to us and helps us help as many animals as we can. We really appreciate it.”

SeaWorld typically rescues sea lion pups that are malnourished or left behind while their mothers are out to sea hunting. They also may be entangled in fishing line or netting and/or injured from things such as a boat propeller or shark bite.

Peterson advised people who are tempted to interact with the local pinnipeds that “it’s always best to keep your distance from wildlife. That’s not just for the animal but for the safety of the onlooker. Wild animals are unpredictable, so there is a fine line between getting too close and getting a good look.”

The SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team can be reached at (800) 541-SEAL (7325) or via email at SWC.Rescue@seaworld.com. ◆

Sea lions at La Jolla Cove: What to know before visiting

SAN DIEGO — With the beachgoing season fast approaching, visitors and locals alike will be flocking to the San Diego coast to lounge on the shore or check out one of the other iconic attractions: the sea lions in the La Jolla Cove.While the mammals are a sight to behold in person, growing numbers of people have taken to social media to document what marine life experts deem problematic behavior by visitors, including harassment, people getting too close to the wild animals to take pictures or what appears to be feeding attempts....

SAN DIEGO — With the beachgoing season fast approaching, visitors and locals alike will be flocking to the San Diego coast to lounge on the shore or check out one of the other iconic attractions: the sea lions in the La Jolla Cove.

While the mammals are a sight to behold in person, growing numbers of people have taken to social media to document what marine life experts deem problematic behavior by visitors, including harassment, people getting too close to the wild animals to take pictures or what appears to be feeding attempts.

“Where people are inserting themselves for (a) selfie or for a picture to put on the internet, there are repercussions or things that can happen to the animals as a result of our interactions,” marine mammal stranding coordinator for NOAA Fisheries, Justin Viezbicke, said to FOX5SanDiego.com.

Things as simple as people using the shore as a place to lounge like one of San Diego’s other beaches is one of the ways that people can have an adverse effect on the mammals, because it disrupts their normal patterns of behavior that can put both beachgoers and sea lions at risk.

One such instance of this was documented in an infamous viral video on TikTok last summer that showed two sea lions chasing each other through the crowd before turning to the water.

Experts after the incident explained that the behavior was not an act of aggression towards humans, but at least two dozen people were directly in the way of the sea lions who were likely just trying to establish a territory for mating.

But these animals can weigh anywhere from 400 to 800 lbs. Had one of the mammals run into one of the people on the beach that day, they’d likely be seriously hurt.

Other things like getting too close – even if someone is not directly interacting with one of the animals – could potentially injure someone or an animal when their fight or flight response is triggered.

“These are wild animals. Anytime you try to get close or interact with a wild animal, there’s no guarantee what’s going to happen,” Viezbicke said. “What we try to tell people (is that) it’s best to err on the side of caution. Give that animal space, because there’s a chance that they could react.”

When this response is triggered, Viezbicke explained that it’s possible that the animals could injure themselves on the rocky waters around La Jolla or that pups could get separated from their mothers during a time when they are unable to take care of themselves.

The City of San Diego has approved an annual seasonal closure near the beach along the Point La Jolla bluffs from May 1 to Oct. 31 for this very reason of protecting the mammals during their pupping season. The Cove, however, remains open.

Most marine mammal regulations, however, are implemented by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries department, including laws that make it illegal to engage in some of the behavior seen by unknowing visitors to La Jolla Cove.

The main set of laws around these kinds of behaviors is the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This act makes certain things like harassment and feeding of marine mammals, like whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, a federal offense.

Under the law, harassment can take two forms:

Anyone engaging in behavior that is considered to be a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act could be fined upwards of $11,000 or face up to a year in prison.

While these regulations are in place, it does not mean that it is impossible for people to see the sea lions that reside in the La Jolla Cove. Visitors are encouraged to “share the shore” with sea lions when visiting them, in order to avoid disturbing their natural habitat.

Of the things that they recommend people can do to responsibly visit the animals, NOAA fisheries says to leave sea lions alone as much as possible.

Visitors are encouraged to keep a distance of about 50 to 100 yards from the sea lions when visiting them in their habitat, like La Jolla Cove. Use of binoculars or telephoto lenses are recommended to get an up close view of the creatures while at a safe distance.

Avoid circling or entrapping, abrupt movements and loud noises near sea lions and other marine mammals along the beach. Behavior like that could set off the animals

Other suggestions from NOAA Fisheries include: limit overall viewing time to about 30 minutes, stay out of the water near the mammals’ habitat, try not to touch a wild marine mammal even if they approach and move cautiously if behaviors that indicate agitation or stress.

Learn more about responsible behaviors for viewing these animals in the wild and the Marine Mammal Protection Act on the NOAA Fisheries website.

“This is a very unique and actually super awesome opportunity to see two different species – harbor seals and California sea lions – pupping… There’s not a lot of places in mainland California where you can see (that),” Viezbicke said. “But if we want to continue to see that, we as people need to be more responsible and understand that our actions have consequences.”

La Jolla board members question whether ‘donations’ will mean the return of park vendors

Members of the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board are voicing concern over a possible loophole in San Diego’s regulations on sidewalk vending, which has started to re-emerge recently in areas like Scripps Park after enforcement went into full effect in coastal areas Feb. 1.Sidewalk vendors are regulated by an ordinance the City Council passed last year that took effect in most of the city June 22. But its restrictions focusing largely on where vendors can operate could not be enforced in coastal communities while awaiting review...

Members of the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board are voicing concern over a possible loophole in San Diego’s regulations on sidewalk vending, which has started to re-emerge recently in areas like Scripps Park after enforcement went into full effect in coastal areas Feb. 1.

Sidewalk vendors are regulated by an ordinance the City Council passed last year that took effect in most of the city June 22. But its restrictions focusing largely on where vendors can operate could not be enforced in coastal communities while awaiting review by the California Coastal Commission. The commission agreed in August to withdraw its review and allow enforcement in the coastal zone.

The ordinance includes regulations for permitting and health and safety and aims to block vending year-round at La Jolla’s Scripps Park, Children’s Pool, the Coast Boulevard boardwalk between Jenner and Cuvier streets, and on main thoroughfares in some business districts, such as the boardwalk at La Jolla Shores, according to local officials. Vendors are allowed to continue operating on the cross streets and side streets in those areas.

La Jolla Parks & Beaches President Bob Evans said the enforcement has had “a lot of positive results” and caused “a significant decrease in what was out-of-control vending.” But he said he has seen vendors “creeping back in” to the public shoreline parks.

Some are operating under speech protected by the First Amendment and others are operating on a donation basis — neither of which are regulated in the sidewalk vending ordinance.

Thus, some people at the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board’s Feb. 27 meeting expressed concern about the concept of “donations” and whether vendors who choose to accept donations will be allowed to operate.

Trustee John Shannon said that with the donation loophole, the number of vending stands could rival that of the La Jolla Open Aire Market.

Venus Molina, chief of staff for City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell — whose District 2 office helped broker the agreement with the Coastal Commission that allowed the ordinance to be enforced in the coastal zone — previously told the La Jolla Light, a publication of the U-T Community Press, that commercial activities that seek donations instead of a set charge are not considered vending.

At the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board meeting, where Molina was not present, Evans said: “It’s clear vending is merchandise sales and money transactions. … And some of these vendors are transacting, so I’m trying to understand who is setting these definitions and policies at the city.”

He said there is confusion about how the city defines vending and asked for clarification from city representatives in attendance. They agreed to return with more information at a future meeting.

One person who attended the meeting told the La Jolla Light that he offered an artist money for a piece that was listed as available by donation, but the artist said the donation wasn’t enough for the art and would not accept it.

Molina later told the La Jolla Light that people who see someone using donations as a loophole should report the vendor and file a complaint to San Diego’s Code Enforcement Division or to park rangers with the vendor’s name, location and/or what the vendor is offering.

“The vending ordinance is for people selling goods,” she said. “Those that ask for donations (instead of a set price) are being sneaky and trying to game the system. They should accept a dollar, even if the suggested donation is $20.”

“This is going to be handled on a case-by-case basis, but it is going to be enforced,” Molina said. “Once word gets out that (using donations) is going to be addressed, it’s going to get squashed.”

The Code Enforcement Division can be reached at (619) 236-5500.

Silicon Valley Bank collapses in biggest failure since 2008

Silicon Valley Bank became the biggest U.S. lender to fail in more than a decade after a tumultuous week that saw an unsuccessful attempt to raise capital and a cash exodus by the tech startups that had fueled the lender’s rise.Regulators stepped in and seized the Santa Clara, Calif.-based bank Friday, a stunning downfall for a lender that had quadrupled in size over the last five years and was valued at more than $40 billion as recently as last year.The move by California state watchdogs to take possession of the bank, k...

Silicon Valley Bank became the biggest U.S. lender to fail in more than a decade after a tumultuous week that saw an unsuccessful attempt to raise capital and a cash exodus by the tech startups that had fueled the lender’s rise.

Regulators stepped in and seized the Santa Clara, Calif.-based bank Friday, a stunning downfall for a lender that had quadrupled in size over the last five years and was valued at more than $40 billion as recently as last year.

The move by California state watchdogs to take possession of the bank, known as SVB, and appoint the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver adds to the turmoil at smaller lenders caused by rapid interest rate increases in the U.S. and other disruptions.

Just days earlier, Silvergate Capital in La Jolla announced it was shutting down its bank, spurring a broader selloff in industry stocks.

Banks were already suffering from the jump in rates that eroded the value of their portfolios, and meanwhile customers in the technology and crypto startup worlds were yanking cash amid a slump in their businesses. In SVB’s case, the turmoil fed on itself as customers worried about its health rushed to withdraw money.

“Bank runs are a lot about psychology. And at this point, it’s very rational to be nervous,” said Saule Omarova, a law professor at Cornell University.

In Washington, the situation prompted a series of discussions among top regulators.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called a meeting Friday with leaders from the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to discuss developments around SVB. Yellen said in a statement that the U.S. banking system “remains resilient” and regulators “have effective tools” to address the fallout.

The government is assessing whether it can sell SVB, or parts of it, by Monday, said a person familiar with officials’ conversations, who asked not to be identified speaking about internal deliberations. That’s the day when customers can come to the bank and start taking out the rest of their money.

Treasury representatives didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Problems mounted for the bank after Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and other high-profile venture capital firms advised their portfolio companies to pull money from SVB. The calls followed parent company SVB Financial Group announcing that it would try to raise more than $2 billion after a significant loss on its portfolio.

The FDIC said that SVB’s insured depositors would have access to their funds by no later than Monday morning. Uninsured depositors will get a receivership certificate for the remaining amount of their uninsured funds, the regulator said, adding that it doesn’t yet know the amount. In announcing the takeover, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation cited inadequate liquidity and insolvency.

Receivership typically means a bank’s deposits will be assumed by another, healthy bank, or the FDIC will pay depositors up to the $250,000 insured limit.

“The FDIC receivership will end the uncertainty about this particular bank,” Omarova said. le Omarova, “But I don’t think that necessarily itself stops people from feeling less safe if they have some kind of exposure to assets or they hold their own money in banks with similar risk profiles.”

SVB was founded in 1983 over a poker game between Bill Biggerstaff and Robert Medearis, according to a statement from the bank’s 20th anniversary. Since its start, the firm has specialized in providing financial services to tech startups.

U.S. regulators arrived at the California offices of SVB as the troubled lender struggled to stabilize its finances on Thursday, Bloomberg News reported.

The bank had about $209 billion in total assets and about $175.4 billion in total deposits at the end of last year, the FDIC said Friday.

Bloomberg writer Max Reyes contributed to this report.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.